2.8.15

It might merit confessing that I’m not all that hot about Puccini and that I suffer from a general deficiency in appreciating Italian opera. That said, I consider Turandot the best compromise as far as quality and popularity is concerned. Granted, I think that if it weren’t for Nessun dorma and one or two other greatest-hits moments and the ensuing grand popularity, nothing near the throngs of people would go sit through Turandot, as they might realize it’s actually a fairly modern opera, worthy of its 1925 composition date, and audibly aware of, say Alban Berg’s work.

But there it is, Turandot, associated more with Paul Potts than Alban Berg, and drawing millions. Even in the rain… for rain it did that night...